Why Weightlifting Is a Waste of Time

What if everything you thought about lifting weights was wrong? In this episode, Ethan sits down with Dr. John Jaquish, the inventor of the X3 Bar and author of Weightlifting Is a Waste of Time. John shares why traditional weight training fails most people, the science behind variable resistance, and how his system helps build muscle and improve bone density faster. They also explore diet, longevity, and why so many quit the gym within 90 days. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation.For more insights from Ethan, sign up for his free newsletter: https://ethansuplee.substack.com/subscribeSHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction00:47 – Why lifting weights may be a waste of time02:33 – Understanding variable resistance04:16 – Why 90 percent quit the gym in 90 days06:02 – Muscle transformations and genetics10:57 – NFL athletes vs the rest of us12:15 – The dominance of Westside Barbell14:27 – Creating the X3 system16:42 – How the X3 works at home18:34 – Can bands really replicate heavy weights?20:30 – From bone density device to fitness innovation21:22 – The truth about carbs and nutrition25:26 – Strength vs cardio and longevity29:24 – Experiments with protein and essential amino acids31:04 – Osteoporosis and bone density training33:38 – Why traditional weightlifting often fails36:38 – The psychology of progress in the gym38:20 – Success stories with the X3 system40:00 – OsteoStrong and fracture prevention41:44 – The deadly risk of hip fractures42:35 – Closing thoughts and wrap up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when losing 300 pounds still doesn’t feel like enough? In this episode, Ethan sits down with Paige Dorian to share the biggest challenges he has faced in his weight loss and maintenance journey. He opens up about chasing perfection, why it never brought peace, and how shifting his mindset toward balance and improvement changed everything. Ethan also talks about the role of his podcast in keeping him accountable and connected.Subscribe to Ethan's Substack:https://ethansuplee.substack.com/subscribeSHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Welcome and Introduction00:34 – Ethan’s Biggest Challenges01:21 – Feeling Overwhelmed at the Start02:26 – Early Diet Attempts04:30 – Losing 80 Pounds in Two Months05:33 – The Moving Finish Line07:28 – The Illusion of Perfection09:00 – Maintaining Weight for Eight Years13:19 – Chasing Goals Without Satisfaction17:25 – The Closest Ethan Came to “Perfect”18:15 – Life as an Ecosystem21:23 – Finding Balance Beyond Diets23:29 – How the Podcast Helps Maintain Success26:44 – Parallels with Sobriety28:23 – Dealing with Negative Feedback33:10 – Lessons from Age and Experience35:58 – Final Reflections and Takeaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of American Glutton, I sit down with Dr. Drew Pinsky and Adam Carolla for a no-holds-barred conversation on health, culture, discipline, and resilience. We dive into the politics of obesity, the cultural shift around smoking, and why hard work still trumps talent. From the dangers of over-reliance on medication to the impact of safe spaces on mental health, Drew and Adam bring raw insights, provocative takes, and personal stories. If you’re ready to challenge conventional thinking about health, masculinity, and personal responsibility, this episode is a must-listen.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 02:13 – The state of health in America 03:59 – Cultural shifts and smoking 06:24 – Safe spaces vs. resilience 08:25 – Obesity and public health 11:45 – Medication, peptides, and risk 18:04 – Stigma, shame, and health truths 20:49 – The obesity paradox debate 27:03 – Victim mentality and hard work 29:45 – Relentlessness vs. talent 31:37 – Discipline and education 33:09 – Getting soft vs. true progress 37:34 – Participation trophies and culture 42:08 – Gender balance and societal impact 45:39 – Nutrition myths and upbringing 49:28 – Medical science, patience, and policy 51:09 – Closing thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of American Glutton, Ethan Suplee sits down with Dr. Erika Schwartz for an eye-opening conversation about health, alcohol, obesity, and the medical system. They discuss the newly established links between alcohol and cancer, the overlooked impact of obesity on chronic disease, and why quick fixes rarely work without lifestyle change.Dr. Erika shares insights from her decades of clinical experience, stressing personal responsibility, hormone health, and the dangers of blindly trusting authority. Together, they explore why awareness and ownership are the foundation of true well-being and how individuals can take back control of their health.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Alcohol and cancer risks03:27 – Genetics vs lifestyle04:45 – Gym closures during COVID06:02 – Culture of drinking08:08 – Obesity and healthcare blind spots12:41 – Missing obesity in medical records15:29 – Weight loss drugs and access issues17:15 – Prevention over treatment18:12 – Ethan’s childhood diets20:10 – Quick fixes vs inner solutions22:22 – Medical errors and systemic failures25:40 – Hypocrisy in health movements28:26 – A patient’s story of medical neglect29:50 – Women’s hormones overlooked36:55 – Gender disparity in treatment39:31 – Women dropping out of society41:21 – Money, lobbying, and access42:16 – Alcohol as escape44:14 – Teaching ownership of health47:21 – Questioning authority and empowerment48:57 – Closing thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of American Glutton, Ethan Suplee sits down with fitness trainer and former dancer Noah Valinsky for a powerful conversation about mindset, movement, and sustainability in health. They dive into the realities of fitness, from reframing hunger and discipline to the importance of structure, organization, and finding what works for you.Noah shares insights from his personal journey in entertainment and fitness, while Ethan reflects on his own path of transformation. Together, they highlight the balance between discipline, flexibility, and enjoyment in living a healthier life.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:03 – Introducing Noah Valinsky00:21 – Fitness as a lifestyle, not a phase01:07 – Demands of dance and athletic training03:32 – The body as a “dumb meat sack”07:01 – Controlling thoughts and reactions10:30 – Factory settings vs modern life12:54 – Finding sustainable fitness approaches16:42 – Mindset and framing challenges18:24 – One step at a time vs instant change21:24 – Structure, organization, and success22:49 – Awareness, willingness, preparedness25:59 – Preparation and readiness in practice27:26 – Knowing your limits and alternatives30:08 – Tools, peptides, and diet fads33:52 – Bodybuilding, legs, and recovery36:42 – Pivoting when plans don’t work39:27 – Fitness as individual sustainability42:02 – Carbs, diet changes, and psoriasis46:22 – Balance, flexibility, and family49:55 – Traveling with food and preparation53:20 – Sustainability and long-term balance55:14 – Strength, health, and true fitness56:04 – Closing thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of American Glutton, Ethan Suplee sits down with Alex Porro to discuss his extraordinary 240-pound weight loss journey and the decade of discipline it took to keep it off. Alex opens up about the mental and physical battles of obesity, his experience with bodybuilding, skin removal surgery, and the emotional conversations he’s had with family about health and longevity.From fad diets to sustainable change, Alex shares raw, practical insights on transformation, maintenance, and living a healthier life without extremes.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:20 – Alex’s transformation and weight loss journey 01:33 – Hitting rock bottom and first steps toward change 04:25 – Building confidence and entering the gym 10:13 – CrossFit, bodybuilding, and maintenance 14:47 – The dangers of bodybuilding culture 18:09 – Life after competitions and finding balance 23:52 – Supporting friends and family on their journeys 28:23 – Diet experiments and GLP-1 medications 30:12 – Emotional talk with his parents about health 31:10 – Skin removal surgery and recovery struggles 38:42 – Documentary on Amazon Prime 46:59 – Behind the scenes of “Skin Deep” 51:53 – Looking ahead: the future of weight loss Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the American Glutton Podcast, Ethan Suplee and Paige Dorian dive into the realities of sustainable health, fitness, and weight loss. They reflect on the post-summer reset, the pitfalls of crash diets, and why long-term change requires more than quick fixes or bursts of motivation.Ethan shares candid insights from his own journey—battling cycles of extreme dieting, the lure of shortcuts, and the hard truth about building habits that last. From small, manageable adjustments to the psychology of effort and reward, this conversation is both practical and deeply relatable.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Summer reset and gym culture 05:51 – Small changes over perfection 10:21 – The problem with perceived effort 19:40 – Building a foundation for sustainable change 24:41 – Radical change vs. slow progress 31:59 – The truth about lasting lifestyle shifts 37:31 – Debunking fad diets and “quick fixes” 41:45 – Why desperation leads to relapse 45:31 – Consistency as the real path to transformation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of American Glutton, Ethan Suplee sits down with Dave Knapp, patient advocate and founder of the first patient-centric obesity medicine news platform. Dave shares his deeply personal journey with obesity and type 2 diabetes—from years of yo-yo dieting and keto struggles to discovering GLP-1 medications that changed his life.Together, Ethan and Dave explore misconceptions about obesity, the emotional toll of weight loss, the rise of new medical treatments, and the importance of community in navigating these challenges. This honest, eye-opening conversation is filled with hard truths, hope, and inspiration for anyone on a health journey.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:02 – Welcome and introductions 01:18 – Living with diabetes and obesity 04:40 – Obesity as a chronic disease 08:29 – Misconceptions about type 2 diabetes 10:22 – High school struggles and keto beginnings 13:36 – Diagnosis and the wake-up call 15:51 – Year of keto and frustration 23:24 – Facing surgery and discovering new drugs 26:35 – Building a patient-driven platform 33:46 – Safety concerns and misconceptions 41:46 – Why people resist obesity medications 46:32 – Transfer addiction and mental health 52:06 – Long-term effects and unanswered questions 56:27 – Loose skin and hidden struggles of weight loss 01:00:39 – The misconceptions about rapid results 01:02:55 – Final reflections and gratitude Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of American Glutton, Ethan Suplee sits down with Ethan Benard, a 26-year-old on a remarkable weight loss journey. From being 200 pounds at age nine to surviving a life-threatening battle with COVID at over 600 pounds, Benard opens up about the turning points that reshaped his perspective on life. He shares the struggles of losing and regaining weight, finding purpose, and building a sustainable path forward.With raw honesty and inspiration, Bernad discusses discipline, setbacks, resilience, and the mindset shift that fuels his transformation. This conversation is heartfelt, motivating, and a must-listen for anyone seeking change.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:01 – Introduction01:25 – Childhood weight struggles02:06 – Mental health and neglect02:26 – Hospitalized with COVID05:04 – Near-death experience sparks change10:06 – Life after hospitalization12:34 – Physical pain of extreme weight17:46 – New mindset and motivation19:00 – Losing 100 pounds naturally23:18 – Starting to walk and record progress24:16 – Social media growth and support27:05 – Walking 10,000–20,000 steps at 500 pounds28:44 – Long-term weight and fitness goals33:29 – Doing it without weight loss surgery38:22 – Loose skin and surgery reflections42:39 – Rethinking goal weights49:37 – Body composition and goals53:49 – Skin removal surgery considerations57:21 – Commitment to natural weight loss59:25 – Building a supportive team01:01:52 – Documenting the journey01:03:55 – Closing remarks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this inspiring episode of American Glutton, Ethan Suplee sits down with school principal and viral motivator Zac Bowermaster. Zac shares how a personal battle with anxiety and depression reshaped his approach to leadership, connection, and community. From fist bumps in the hallways to “Protein with the Principal,” Zac’s story is packed with lessons on empathy, resilience, and building a culture where everyone feels seen. They also dive into work-life rhythm, overcoming obsessive tendencies, and why small, consistent habits matter more than lofty one-time goals. A heartfelt, practical conversation that will leave you motivated to lead with purpose.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 Welcome & Boy Meets World nostalgia02:59 Zac’s first-day-of-school perspective shift04:29 Viral videos and the power of small moments09:05 Battling anxiety, depression, and learning to open up12:22 Sharing stories to connect and heal19:05 Embracing challenges as part of life’s rhythm22:45 Living day by day & morning habits26:16 Balancing health goals with family life34:41 Helping kids develop healthy habits40:50 Positivity that resonates44:44 Finding support after achieving big goals48:37 Small habits toward big ambitions50:13 Closing thoughts & gratitude Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.